Subscribe Now

[hb-subscribe]

Trending News

T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
  • Activity
    • 6 minutes ago
      Amy Schneider likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      I keep my opened insulin in the refrigerator too. When traveling I use a FRIO evaporative pouch.
    • 1 hour, 32 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      I want a thumbs down icon!
    • 1 hour, 32 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      I seldom have any questions other than RX refill request which I submit through the patient portal. If I do have treatment questions, I typically do my own research, and if not satisfied with what I find out, I submit a question in the portal.
    • 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      When I come up with a question between visits, I usually just do some research.
    • 3 hours, 45 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      I keep my opened insulin in the refrigerator too. When traveling I use a FRIO evaporative pouch.
    • 3 hours, 46 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      Sorry. Of course I store unopened in frig. Opened in my room as I use it up in 30 days
    • 3 hours, 47 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      No, I keep it in the oven! ;) Same answer as the last time they asked this ridiculous question!
    • 4 hours, 29 minutes ago
      Becky Hertz likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      Unopened yes, and now even opened just in case. I am getting a new health [lan (thank goodness a much better one - with better doctors and hospitals in network!) so it's worth it. But I can't get any appt - even for a PCP until September. I've been occasionally buying out of pocket insulin, pump and CGM supplies (in my mind, hoarding is a character asset for T1D people). I need to have my enough stuff to see me through, Of course, I am hoping there''s an appt cancellation.
    • 5 hours, 52 minutes ago
      Bruce Schnitzler likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      Unopened yes, and now even opened just in case. I am getting a new health [lan (thank goodness a much better one - with better doctors and hospitals in network!) so it's worth it. But I can't get any appt - even for a PCP until September. I've been occasionally buying out of pocket insulin, pump and CGM supplies (in my mind, hoarding is a character asset for T1D people). I need to have my enough stuff to see me through, Of course, I am hoping there''s an appt cancellation.
    • 7 hours, 49 minutes ago
      alex likes your comment at
      Here’s What You Need to Know About the Dexcom G7
      This article explains the Dexcom G7 features in a clear and easy way, especially for people new to continuous glucose monitoring. Very informative and helpful. Sportzfy TV Download
    • 23 hours, 12 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Have you ever been told you couldn’t physically do something because you live with diabetes?
      Long time ago - told there were certain occupations I would not be allowed to do because if T1D. Pilot, air traffic controller, military, etc.
    • 23 hours, 14 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I have been told many times "YOU CAN'T EAT THAT!" ONLY to frustrate them and eat it anyway and then bolus accordingly.
    • 23 hours, 15 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I think it is a common experience for most people with T1D. People do not understand anything about it. I do not take it personally. I try to educate when appropriate.
    • 23 hours, 16 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      Lol hell when haven't they. Lol
    • 23 hours, 24 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 1 day, 1 hour ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I was only 2 when Diagnosed 70 years ago. My small town doctor admitted he didn't know much about T1D, and fortune for my parents and I he called what is now Joslin Clinic, and they told him how much insulin to give me. He taught my parents, who then traveled over 350 miles to Boston, to learn about how to manage T1D. My doctor learned more about T1D, and was able to help 2 other young men, that were later DX with T1D in our small town. I went to Joslin until I turned 18 and returned to become a Joslin Medalist and participated in the research study, 20 years ago. Still go there for some care.
    • 1 day, 1 hour ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I was 7 when things changed in my home. My older brother was hospitalized for 2 weeks. When he came home, we no longer ate the way we had before. This was 1956. Dessert alternated between sugarless pudding or sugarless Jello. I learned that bread and potatoes had carbohydrates and that turned to sugar. There was a jar in the bathroom. It seemed my brother was testing his urine every time he went in there. There was a burner and pot on the stove designated for boiling syringes. I watched my brother give himself shots and I remember how hard it was to find someone to manage his care if my parents had to travel. Diabetic Forecast magazine came in the mail each month and there were meetings of the local diabetes association that my mother attended religiously. My brother got a kidney and pancreas transplant at age 60 and before he died lived for 5 years as a non-diabetic. A few years later I was diagnosed. Sorry he was not able to make use of today’s technology. I often wonder what he and my late parents would think about me, at age 66, being the only one in the family with type 1.
    • 1 day, 1 hour ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      kilupx likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      My brother was type 1 since an early age. I was only diagnosed in my late 40s
    • 1 day, 7 hours ago
      Phyllis Biederman likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Absolutely nothing. Diagnosed in late December 1962 at at the age of 8 years and was told I was going for a stay in hospital because I have "sugar diabetes".
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      Bill Williams likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I was diagnosed in 1976 at the age of 18 while in college. One weekend, I was drinking a lot of water and peeing frequently. I remembered having read a Reader's Digest article on diabetes, and I told my friends I thought I might have it. Two days later, the diagnosis was confirmed.
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Absolutely nothing. Diagnosed in late December 1962 at at the age of 8 years and was told I was going for a stay in hospital because I have "sugar diabetes".
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I knew I couldn’t or shouldn’t have my two fav things in the world: Pepsi cola and chocolate. I was 42, and suspected very strongly that I had it, and ate a large piece of chocolate cake before my doctor’s appointment (sounds more like I was 12). Fast forward 25 years later: I never had a real cola again, but do occasionally have chocolate. I’m way healthier than I was back then in terms of diet. I no longer have irritable bowel, and I’m lucky to be able to afford what I need to combat the ill effects of this chronic disease. I’m blessed, and grateful for insulin.
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      It was 35 years ago for me. I had no experience with T1d. I was starting to show symptoms and my sister-in-law quickly researched T1d and told me what she found. I went to my GP a week or two later. My BG was over 600. He sent me to the hospital right away. Blood test confirmed it.
    Clear All
Pages
    • T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
    • Articles
    • Community
      • About
      • Insights
      • T1D Screening
        • T1D Screening How-To
        • T1D Screening Results
        • T1D Screening Resources
      • Donate
      • Join the Community
    • Quality Improvement
      • About
      • Collaborative
        • Leadership
        • Committees
      • Centers
      • Meet the Experts
      • Learning Sessions
      • Resources
        • Change Packages
        • Sick Day Guide
        • FOH Screener
      • Portal
      • Health Equity
        • Heal Advisors
    • Registry
      • About
      • Recruit for the Registry
    • Research
      • About
      • Publications
      • COVID-19 Research
      • Our Initiatives
    • Partnerships
      • About
      • Previous Work
      • Academic Partnerships
      • Industry Partnerships
    • About
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Culture & Careers
      • Annual Report
    • Join / Login
    • Search
    • Donate

    Have you ever accidentally given too much insulin and needed emergency glucagon?

    Home > LC Polls > Have you ever accidentally given too much insulin and needed emergency glucagon?
    Previous

    At your last T1D appointment, about how much time did you spend with your healthcare provider?

    Next

    If your T1D healthcare provider has an online patient portal, what do you access it for? Please select all that apply.

    Samantha Walsh

    Samantha Walsh has lived with type 1 diabetes for over five years since 2017. After her T1D diagnosis, she was eager to give back to the diabetes community. She is the Community and Partner Manager for T1D Exchange and helps to manage the Online Community and recruit for the T1D Exchange Registry. Prior to T1D Exchange, Samantha fundraised at Joslin Diabetes Center. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelors degree in sociology and early childhood education.

    Related Stories

    Advocacy

    Blue Circle Health: A Free Virtual Program Expanding Support for Adults Living with Type 1 Diabetes 

    Michael Howerton, 3 days ago 4 min read  
    News

    Thyroid Eye Disease (TED): What You Need to Know 

    Jewels Doskicz, 5 days ago 4 min read  
    News

    Immunosuppressants in T1D Research: Expert Opinions from Diabetes Pharmacist Diana Isaacs 

    Jewels Doskicz, 1 week ago 5 min read  
    2025 Learning Session

    The 2025 T1DX-QI Learning Session: Driving Better Diabetes Care 

    Sarah Howard, 2 weeks ago 7 min read  
    Lifestyle

    Barriers to Care in Aging: Voices from the T1D Community 

    Jewels Doskicz, 3 weeks ago 7 min read  
    Lifestyle

    When T1D Becomes a Calling: Stories From our Team 

    Jewels Doskicz, 4 weeks ago 11 min read  

    15 Comments

    1. Patricia Dalrymple

      I put into my pump my BG reading instead of the carbs I was going to eat. Didn’t take glucagon. Just ate enough to compensate.

      3
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Lawrence S.

      I answered “Yes.” But honestly, I don’t remember. I know that I’ve had to use glucagon in the past, rather my wife has used it on me. I don’t think it was because I “accidentally” used too much insulin. So, there should have been an “I’m not sure” response. But, anytime I’ve had to use glucagon requires some sort of accident, not necessarily in the delivery process.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Angela Naccari

      I accidentally put insulin in my allergy shot syringe so gave more than 40 units and usually take less than 25 in 24 hours. Thank God my husband realized by the way zi was breathing. This was before I had Dexcom. 911, gucago and off to the ER!!!

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Jeff Balbirnie

      Surprisingly no. But… regular soda comes in gallon bottles, that would be a heck of a lot…. yikes

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Phyllis Biederman

      Only once – gave insulin for lunch then was called to assist someone (I’m a nurse) and midway through I realized my sugar was rapidly dropping. Tho I might pass out so grabbed my glucagon and asked the MD I work with to give it to me, watch and wait. I eventually was able to drink juice and eat, but it was an exhausting experience.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. mlettinga

      I was refilling my pump with insulin and forgot to disconnect first. 30 units extra insulin. I also gave myself insulin while dreaming in middle of the night and woke up with low and saw I had given
      Myself 15 units.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. LizB

      I have accidentally given myself too much insulin but I just ate a whole lot of extra food & drinks to counteract it.

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Anita Stokar

      I put “no” as I didn’t need glucagon. but I was getting myself prepared to use it if my sugar didn’t stop dropping. I had given myself nasal glucagon, afrezza, and it dropped my sugar so much and so quickly that I was a nervous wreck till my sugar finally started going up.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Anita Stokar

        That was the first time I had actually tried it.

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. anj1832

      I have accidentally given myself 22 units before, but I did not use my glucagon. If it happens again I will though

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. KarenM6

      Yes. When I was a teenager, I accidentally gave my morning dose (the one with the long-acting insulin and far more regular than my night dose (about 5-ish units) required).
      Plus, I was on doctor ordered 50-ish units per day. That was about 2 times as much as my body needed… So, really, for about 15 years I gave myself too much insulin each and every day.
      But, anyway, it required a trip to the ER for IV glucose. I’m not entirely sure if glucagon existed back then? It would have been about 1982 or so… probably glucagon existed, but I wasn’t given it to have on hand if it existed. I had very poor care until about 1996.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. KarenM6

        Sorry… forgot to finish my first sentence… I gave my morning dose when I was giving my evening dose.
        So, I gave myself two morning doses that day.

        1
        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Bill Marston

      One time I accidentally took the same meal bolus twice. So had to add glucose (as tablets, not gVoke or Baqsimi).

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. ConnieT1D62

      Yes once when I was on a pump “holiday” to give my sites a much needed rest, and was using MDI I accidentally gave myself a pen injection of fast acting (14 units) instead of my basal dose. I knew instantly that that could be a lethal dose for me, so I called 911 for EMT assistance and I took whatever glucagon I had on hand at home … a Baqsimi and a Hypopen to counteract the severe drop before it happened. The EMTs took me to the ER so I could be safely monitored. I spent 2.5 hours in the ER under observation and basically monitored and took care of myself because the ER staff was too busy with other critical patients. It does help that I am a RN, CDCES who has lived with T1D for over 60 years. But mistakes can and do happen even to the most diligent PWDs.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Steven Gill

      Early in the morning opted to dose a few units “aspart,” along with my usual basal. Looking down realized instead of Glargine gave myself 16 units aspart. Kept sweetened lemonade by my side and each time leaves dropped to 80-90 sipped, this went on 8-9 hours.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply

    Have you ever accidentally given too much insulin and needed emergency glucagon? Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.




    101 Federal Street, Suite 440
    Boston, MA 02110
    Phone: 617-892-6100
    Email: admin@t1dexchange.org

    Privacy Policy

    Terms of Use

    Follow Us

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • linkedin
    • instagram

    © 2024 T1D Exchange.
    All Rights Reserved.

    © 2023 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
    • Login
    • Register

    Forgot Password

    Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

    Skip Next Finish

    Account successfully created.

    Please check your inbox and verify your email in the next 24 hours.

    Your Account Type

    Please select all that apply.

    I have type 1 diabetes

    I'm a parent/guardian of a person with type 1 diabetes

    I'm interested in the diabetes community or industry

    Select Topics

    We will customize your stories feed based on what you select here.

    [userselectcat]

    We're preparing your personalized page.

    This will only take a second...

    Search and filter

    [searchandfilter slug="sort-filter-post"]